Gangs

The structure of Chicago gangs isn't what it used to be. The hierarchical organization of the past is largely gone, replaced by many smaller and fractured groups. We talk to three men with experience in dealing with gangs who give us their view of why young people belong to gangs and carry out violence.

“Gang-related” is a label that the Chicago Police Department applies to most murders in the city. Some residents inside Chicago neighborhoods, and even some crime experts, say police are too loose with the term.